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Today was the day we said enough

There was an inevitability about what happened in that sham of a democracy they call Westminster. Scotland’s perspective being completely shut out on something as fundamentally important as the EU withdrawal bill is wholly unacceptable as is the power grab of devolved issues that rightfully belong with the Scottish Parliament. How long could democratically elected representatives sit in the UK parliament being ignored? How much more contempt could they be expected to endure?

They owed it to their constituents to take action. It was always going to happen and the only surprise is that it didn’t happen before now. The surge in new SNP membership is testament to the approval the walkout has been met with in Scotland. Even Murray Foote, former Daily Record editor and so-called architect of the vow has declared for independence given the situation is so appalling.

The patience shown by the SNP MPs has been incredible but they were at breaking point, something I wrote about 16 months ago. However, if the SNP call an independence referendum off the back of this perfect example of how the union is failing Scotland, then they really have played their cards close to their chest and displayed the perfect political poker face.

As I write, independence supporters are congregating outside Holyrood in support of the Westminster walkout and demanding the SNP use their mandate and the union be dissolved. Let’s hope at last this is the final trigger point that will see Scotland become a normal independent country as opposed to the doormat of another country. The SNP now have a responsibility to prove this is not the stunt they are being accused of and see this through with a referendum within their mandated period.

During the #SNPWalkOut, several SNP MPs spoke live to SNP MP Martyn Day on behalf of Independence Live (Hannah Bardell’s live footage also added).

“It’s a testament to [Ian Blackford’s] courage that the SNP have had wall-to-wall coverage today and that everyone is talking about the devolution power grab and EU withdrawal bill” Joanna Cherry, SNP MP for Edinburgh South West

“Both prime ministers through the ‘vow’ offered us extensive and permanent new powers and that ‘vow’ was broken yesterday very clearly and there had to be a response.” Deidre Brock, SNP MP for Edinburgh North and Leith

“I’ve had messages from across the world, from Iceland and elsewhere saying you’ve certainly put Scotland’s issues on the map.” Angus MacNeil, SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar

“Mundell has promised debate after debate and none have come through. His jaiket is on a very shoogly nail.” Douglas Chapman, SNP MP for Dunfermline and West Fife

“We have been ignored, ridiculed and treated with contempt throughout. Today was the day we said enough.” Carol Monaghan, SNP MP for Glasgow North West

“We walked out of PMQs today because finally we reached the end of our tether. We’re not standing for this nonsense anymore. This place puts you on a hamster wheel and tries to get you to waste your time.” Philippa Whitford, SNP MP for Central Ayrshire

“What we saw yesterday was the devolution settlement being ripped to shreds in 15 minutes.” Stuart McDonald, SNP MP for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East

“Ian Blackford had no option but to stand up and be accountable, not only to his own constituents, but to defend the parliament of Scotland.” Martin Docherty-Hughes, SNP MP for West Dunbartonshire

“Not one Scottish MP was allowed to speak in the devolution debate. The #SNPWalkOut is a reaction in the only way that we can protest at the way that we have been treated at Westminster.” John McNally, SNP MP for Falkirk

“Today has been a quite momentous occasion – it saw a definite change in tactics from the SNP here in response to the abject undermining of devolution by the British government. It is clear to me that Mundell must go and the Scottish Parliament must be respected.” Martyn Day, SNP MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk

“Frankly, this place has became farcical” Hannah Bardell, SNP MP for Livingston